A city council spokesman said on Friday: “The city’s coastal management team has reported that a large male humpback whale carcass of approximately 15m in length has washed ashore west of the Lourens River in Paardevlei. The cause of death is not yet known.

“The removal of the carcass will begin tomorrow at low tide. The beach area will be closed to the public tomorrow once the machines go on site.”

The spokesman added: “Odours may linger after the carcass has been removed.”